10 Things I Like

Today's post is in honor of my friend Mark Hodges. Anytime he writes disparagingly about country music in his facebook status (ok, Taylor Swift has about as much to do with real country music as Richard Simmons does to bodybuilding, but I do wonder why he was watching the CMA awards) or I read misguided attempts at humor in his favorite music section at the expense of country, I remember just how much I really love country music and how sad it is that anyone misses out on so much great music. So today instead of my usual 5 Things I Like I'm bumping it up to 10 just for Mark. Enjoy!

10 Country Songs I Love

The Front Porch Song - Robert Earl Keen - This should be the official state song of Texas. Whenever I hear this song it makes me want to move back to Fort Worth. You can listen to it on Keen's website.

Crazy - Pat Green - Just a beautiful beautiful song - You can listen in the playlist to the right.

I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight - Jerry Jeff Walker - I could have made the whole list out of Jerry Jeff songs but this or Jaded Lover is probably my favorite.


Sunday Morning Coming Down - Kris Kristofferson - Hauntingly sad, a hit for Johnny Cash written by Kris. I like Johnny's version but I love Kris's. This is what you get when Rhodes Scholars write songs.


Down the River - Chris Knight - Spare, Dark tale of murder and revenge. First song I ever heard by him, the end still sends chills down my back. Listen on his myspace page.

Stay - Sugarland - I can't separate this song from the video - simple and powerful performance - makes me cry. Go here to see the video.

Easy Silence - Dixie Chicks - I absolutely love the Dixie Chicks, my favorite song from their last album. I find it very spiritual and comforting.

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Good Enough - Idgy Vaughn - I've mentioned Idgy in a previous post and how much I like her cd. Country music is at it's best when it's heartbreaking, and this song is. Listen on her MySpace page.

Trash - Big Smith - Another band and song that I've had on here before. Defiant Hillbilly Anthem - The Ozarks Sweet Home Alabama. "A man that's on wheels ain't my notion of failure".


I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams - Simply the greatest country song ever written.


So there you go, just a small sample of great country music and this didn't even include any Merle Haggard, George Jones, or Willie Nelson. You can listen to a few more of my favorites in my playlist.